EnglishClub ESL Forums

hi sir,
President Bush (news - web sites) and Democratic Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) make a final push through a handful of crucial swing states on Monday in a final hunt for votes that could break open a deadlocked race for the White House.

My question is what does " a handful of crucial swing states " mean"?
Thanks in advance

A small number of states whose vote is unpredictable, but highly significant in determining the final outcome (i.e. where voters could 'swing' unpredictably from one candidate to the other at the last moment).